‘Arch’ Centres
A safe place for victim-survivors of sexual violence to come forward and seek support.
Violence against anyone, in any form, is unacceptable, but the harm caused by family and sexual violence is particularly devastating.
The Tasmanian Government is establishing multidisciplinary centres that will provide victim-survivors of sexual violence with immediate and integrated, trauma-informed care.
Support services, child safety services, health care providers and specialist police investigators will work together under the one roof. The centres will be called ‘Arch’ to represent this structured and coordinated approach.
The Government has allocated $15.1 million over two years to pilot the new service delivery model. The project is one important aspect of Tasmania’s Third Family and Sexual Violence Action Plan 2022-2027: Survivors at the Centre.
The first two centres will open during 2023. Subject to a review and evaluation of the pilot, Arch centres will be progressively developed in other regions of the State.
What will the Arch centres be like?
A victim-survivor who chooses to come to Arch, can expect:
- A safe, welcoming and culturally sensitive space.
- To be heard and believed.
- To be respected and supported.
- Not to retell their lived experience more than necessary.
- To be provided information so they can make informed choices about their pathway.
- Not to speak to a police officer until, and only if, they are ready.
Police officers who work at Arch will not be in uniform and police cars will not be marked.
How will the Arch centres make things easier?
Arch will support victim-survivors to make informed choices, by addressing the barriers and challenges people face when navigating different services and systems.
Arch will provide:
- Access to information, support and specialist police investigators at the one location in an immediate, clear and connected way.
- A supportive environment to report sexual violence. This may prevent further offences from occurring (including if a person chooses not to make a formal complaint).
- A supportive environment for evidence to be preserved. This will keep options available to a victim-survivor in the future.
- Opportunities to build stronger relationships between centre staff. This will enhance the delivery of immediate and integrated, trauma-informed care.
Where will the centres be located?
The two pilot centres will be located in the city centres of Launceston and Hobart and will be accessible to all.
They will be technology enabled to support staff and enhance service delivery, including for police as they work to hold perpetrators to account.
Consultation
The centres are being developed in consultation with advocates, victim-survivors and partners to ensure the diverse voices that make up Tasmania’s community are heard.
Find out more
To keep up to date with the development of the Arch centres, email mdc@dpfem.tas.gov.au and subscribe to our newsletter. We will send updates direct to your inbox. Our previous newsletters are available below.
> Download Issue 1 – July 2022 newsletter
> Download Issue 2 – September 2022 newsletter
> Download Issue 3 – November 2022 newsletter
> Download Issue 4 – December 2022 newsletter
> Download Issue 5 – January 2023 newsletter
> Download Issue 6 – February 2023 newsletter
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual violence, please call the state-wide Sexual Assault Crisis Line 24/7 on 1800 697 877.
If you or someone you know is impacted by family violence, please call the Family Violence Response and Referral Line 24/7 on 1800 633 937.
In an emergency, always call 000.